System and method for negotiating a network connection

ABSTRACT

A system and method for automatically negotiating Internet access between a user and one of a plurality of Internet connection providers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/345,059, filed on May14, 2010, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings relate generally to automated services negotiationand, more particularly, to the selection of Internet connections.Currently, disparate Internet service providers provide Internet accesson a soft-wired basis in which the subscriber executes a contract withthe provider and the provider provides Internet services to thesubscriber. Further, Internet access can be gained by selective use ofwireless devices, for example, WIFI available in a library or in thenext apartment. WIFI devices can be secured or unsecured, and users canattempt to access either by a secure protocol such as a username andpassword, or simply by selecting the WIFI device if it is not secured.

What is needed is a system whereby a computer stores information onnetwork services provided by network providers, and in which the networkuser only pays for the needed resource (e.g., time, bandwidth, etc.).What is further needed is a system that maximizes value of networkresources in which the network provider can charge a rate that isdependent on network volume, for example, and unused bandwidth can besold as a new income stream. What is further needed is a system in whichthe network user gets the benefit of lowest priced available bandwidth,and can take advantage of an increasing number of available networks.What is still further needed is a system that can automaticallynegotiate the use of appropriate networks and settle payment, and inwhich the network user has network provider neutrality, as well as theability to support pre-paid accounts for devices such as VoIP phones andsingle use devices, for example, emergency beacons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The needs set forth herein as well as further and other needs andadvantages are addressed by the present embodiments, which illustratesolutions and advantages described below.

In one embodiment, the system and method of the present embodiment allowa user to buy or bid for Internet bandwidth, for example, through aserver or website or by direct communications with an Internet accesspoint such as, for example, a WIFI access point. A “clearinghouse”server, although not limited thereto, may maintain account information(e.g., account identification number, etc.) so that the user would nothave to supply this information for each access, or the access pointcould request the account information from the user/user computer foreach use. In addition, the access point could request accountinformation from the clearinghouse server and provide access to the userif the user's account included sufficient required information andfunds. In any case, a determination could be made concerning the user'spreferred service metrics, for example, but not limited to, the amountthe user is willing to pay for the service, the bandwidth required bythe user, the amount of time the user needs to access the Internet, andthe quality of service required. If the prospective provider satisfiesthe user's service metrics, the prospective provider may communicate tothe user the metrics, including the cost, for the required services(e.g., “provider service outline”, etc.). The user may select from thepossible prospective providers based on the costs and benefits of theprospective providers. Preferably, the user's device could broadcast aconnection request to multiple networks and negotiate with all of themsimultaneously for the lowest rate, similar to a reverse auction.

In one embodiment, the system for negotiating a computer networkconnection for the benefit of a network user computer can include, butis not limited to including, one or more network provider computersconfigured to provide to the user computer access to one or morecomputer networks. Each provider computer may be associated with aprovider service outline. The system may further include a negotiationprocessor accessing one or more service provider outlines and selectinga network provider computer using a requested service outline and aprovider service outline. The system can still further include a networkaccess interface that can enable the computer network connection for thebenefit of the user computer provided by the selected network providercomputer. The system can optionally include a server computer receivingthe requested service outline (e.g., from the user computer, etc.). Thenetwork provider computers can be communicatively coupled with theserver computer, and can provide provider service outlines to the servercomputer. The network provider computer can optionally be a router. Theuser computer can optionally be a mobile device. The computer networkcan optionally be the Internet. The requested service outline caninclude, but is not limited to including, account information having aprepaid payment amount, requested bandwidth, requested connection time,and requested network reliability. The system can optionally include auser interface for managing the requested service outlines, and the userinterface can be a webpage.

In another embodiment, the method for negotiating, by a server computer,a computer network connection provided by a selected network providerfor the benefit of a user computer can include, but is not limited toincluding, the steps of receiving, by the server computer, a networkconnection preference from the network user computer, sending, by theserver computer, an offer for a network connection, the offer having aservice outline, accepting (e.g., by the server computer. Providercomputer, etc.), payment account information based on the serviceoutline, and providing, by the server computer, network serviceinformation about the selected network provider to enable the computernetwork connection, for the network user computer. The method canoptionally include the steps of determining, by the server computer, theselected network provider based on one or more of bandwidth, time,quality and price of one or more network providers, determining (e.g.,by the server computer, provider computer, etc.) if the networkconnection has expired, and discontinuing the network connection if thenetwork connection has expired. One or more computer processorsexecuting computer software code stored on computer readable media canexecute the previously described steps, although not limited thereto. Itis to be appreciated that any of the steps or functionality describedherein may be performed on one or more of the various disclosedcomputers and the present teachings are not limited to any particularembodiment.

In yet another embodiment, the method for negotiating a computer networkconnection provided by a selected network provider for the benefit of anetwork user computer can include, but is not limited to including, thesteps of receiving, by at least one provider processor associated withat least one network provider, a network connection preference from thenetwork user computer, sending, by the at least one provider processor,an offer for a network connection, the offer having a service outline,accepting, by the at least one provider processor, payment accountinformation based on the service outline, and enabling, by the at leastone provider processor, the computer network connection for the networkuser computer. The method can optionally include the steps of supplying,by the at least one provider processor, one or more of bandwidth, time,quality and price of the at least one network provider's service,determining, by the at least one provider processor, if the computernetwork connection has expired, and discontinuing, by the at least oneprovider processor, the network connection if the network connection hasexpired. One or more computer processors executing computer softwarecode stored on computer readable media can execute the previouslydescribed steps, although not limited thereto.

In a still further embodiment, the system for negotiating use of anetwork connection can include, but is not limited to including, anetwork user device having requesting software executing on computerreadable medium, and a plurality of network provider devices havingapproving software executing on computer readable medium. The requestingsoftware may send a network connection request to the plurality ofnetwork provider devices, and one of the plurality of network providersmay provide a network connection to the network user device based atleast in part on the price that the network user device is willing topay for the network connection. The one of the plurality of networkproviders can be paid for that network connection. The network can bewireless, although not limited thereto, and the network user device canprovide requirements (e.g., time, quality, size, price, etc.). In oneembodiment, the network provider can determine price based on networkuse. The network provider can be a router, and the network user can be amobile device, for example. In such a way, the network user can benetwork provider-independent. The plurality of network providers can bidagainst each other, and the network user can prepay for network use. Thenetwork user can re-broadcast the lowest bid to elicit further bids, andthe network user can send payment information to the network provider.An auction such as a reverse auction can be used to assist innegotiation, as well as a Dutch auction, although not limited thereto.The server can also send payment information and store network userpreferences.

In another embodiment, the system for establishing network services caninclude, but is not limited to including, a user processor and aprovider processor. Optionally, the system can include a server. Theuser processor can include, but is not limited to, a requirementsprocessor for receiving service metrics from a user and providing themto a network provider, for example, through a server or through aprovider interface such as a wireless device. The user processor canalso include a negotiation processor for receiving and processinginformation from potential providers and providing account informationto the potential providers. The user processor can even further includea payment processor for managing payment for network services and aservice interruption processor for managing termination of services. Theuser processor can also include a network access interface to couple theuser processor with existing hardware and software that manages otheraspects of the network connection. The provider processor can include,but is not limited to including, a requirements comparer for determiningif the provider can satisfy the service metrics provided by the userprocessor. The provider processor can also include a response processorthat can provide a counteroffer to the user processor that specifies themetrics that most closely match the user service metrics. The providerprocessor can also include a revenue processor for receiving paymentand/or account information if the user processor selects the providerfor Internet access, and an expiration processor for managingtermination of the Internet connection. Alternatively, or in addition,the system of the present embodiment can include a server for receivingand storing user account information, for managing the handshakingstated above for several Internet providers and/or access points, andfor settling payment between the user and provider.

In yet another embodiment, the method for establishing network servicesby a user processor can include, but is not limited to including, thesteps of (a) sending, from a network user computer, requirements to anetwork provider computer for the network services; (b) receiving, inthe network user computer, a service metric from the network providercomputer based on the requirements; (c) rendering or agreeing onpayment, from the network user computer, to the network providercomputer for the network services if the service metric is acceptable tothe network user computer; (d) determining, by the network usercomputer, if a counteroffer is acceptable if the service metric includesa counteroffer; (e) selecting, by the network user computer, anothernetwork provider computer if the service metric is a rejection; (f)repeating, by the network user computer, steps (a)-(e) if the servicemetric is a rejection; and (g) using, by the network user computer, thenetwork services. The method can optionally include the steps ofselecting the network services from a group consisting of, although notlimited thereto, quality of service, bandwidth, time, and price,determining if the network services have been terminated, anddiscontinuing the step of rendering the network services if the networkservices have been terminated.

In a still further embodiment, the method for establishing networkservices by a provider processor can include, but is not limited toincluding, the steps of receiving, in a network provider computer,requirements from a network user computer; determining, by the networkprovider computer, a service metric based on the requirements; sending,by the network provider computer, the service metric to the network usercomputer; receiving, in the network provider computer, a counterofferfrom the network user computer; determining, by the network providercomputer, sufficiency of the counteroffer; sending, by the networkprovider computer, a response to the counteroffer to the network usercomputer based on the sufficiency; receiving, by the network providercomputer, payment or a promise to pay for the network services from thenetwork user computer; and providing, by the network provider computer,the network services to the network user computer.

Other embodiments of the system and method are described in detail belowand are also part of the present teachings.

For a better understanding of the present embodiments, together withother and further aspects thereof, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings and detailed description, and its scope will be pointed out inthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a negotiated network of thepresent embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram according to FIG. 1 depictingmultiple network providers using an auction network;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram according to FIG. 1 depicting aserver;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram according to FIG. 1 depicting oneembodiment of the computer architecture;

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram according to FIG. 1 depicting analternative embodiment of the architecture having a server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings are described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which the present embodimentsare shown. The following description is presented for illustrativepurposes only and the present teachings should not be limited to theseembodiments. Any computer configuration and architecture satisfying, thespeed and interface requirements herein described may be suitable forimplementing the system and method of the present embodiments.

Known systems may be improved by allowing a user or subscriber to selectan Internet service provider or WIFI access point based on the bestvalue available at the time the service is needed. Internet serviceproviders and WIFI access points could thus compete for user/subscriberrevenue by providing service metrics that solve the user/subscriber'sdynamic Internet needs. In addition, disposable or emergency productsthat are network-enabled for example, a single-use emergency beacon,could benefit from such a service.

Referring now to FIG. 1, A is network user such as, for example, but notlimited to, a computer (e.g., “user computer,” etc.), a mobile device,or a local network provider, while B is a network provider (e.g.,network access point, etc.) such as, for example, but not limited to, arouter or a gateway to network. A can broadcast need/requirements suchas, for example, but not limited to, quality, bandwidth, time, andprice, either wirelessly or over a wired connection, although notlimited thereto. B can accept, reject, or counter-offer. A can renderpayment such as, for example, but not limited to, by credit card oraccount credentials, which may be provided in a website, although notlimited thereto.

In this way, network user A can negotiate a connection to a network(e.g., the Internet, etc.) without regard to service provider. In oneembodiment, A polls network provider B with a request for a networkconnection. A may provide to B an amount it is willing to pay for aconnection measured in length of time of the connection, bandwidth(e.g., amount of data transfer), etc. A may also provide minimumrequirements for the connection such as, for example, a minimumconnection speed of 10 Mbit/s. It is to be appreciated that not everynetwork user will have the same minimum network requirements for eachconnection. In some circumstances, for example, a single-use device,discussed further below, may only need enough bandwidth to transmit ashort, single, predetermined message, although not limited thereto.

Network provider B may receive A's request and determine it can beaccommodated. This may be based on B's current network use. At certaintimes of the day, for example, B may have low network use by its users.In this case, it may be preferable to attempt to sell as many Internetconnections or as much bandwidth as it can in order to maximize its ownnetwork connection and, thus, maximize potential income. Therefore, Bmay accept requests offering relatively low payment. At other times ofthe day, however, network provider B may have high demand by its usersfor network connections. B's availability may be determined by thecurrent number of connections, the current network traffic as measuredby a router's current transfer rate, or predetermined times of days anddays of the week, for example, although not limited thereto. Duringtimes of high network use, B may reject requests for network connectionsfrom A having relatively lower offer price. B may also supply acounter-offer to A requiring a higher price (or lower connectionquality, etc.) for the requested network connection when network use ishigh. This negotiation may go back and forth. The system describedherein values network connections based in part on supply and demand andthe system may store the preferred ranges as well as maximum/minimumranges that each party is willing to accept, although not limitedthereto.

Once A and B agree on a network connection (e.g., based at least in parton price, connection requirements, time/bandwidth, etc.), for example,although not limited thereto, B may accept A's connection request sothat A may start using the network. A may transmit to B paymentinformation such as credit card, ACH, account credentials such as, forexample, although not limited thereto, PayPal or a clearinghouse serveraccording to the present teachings, discussed further below. In oneembodiment, payment information may be stored by the system on a websiteaccessible by the user. B may wait until A's payment “clears” beforeallowing A's network traffic to enter the network, although, not limitedthereto. In one alternative, an independent service may verify A'scredit (e.g., may have balance in system account, etc), although notlimited thereto. B may then periodically monitor A's network use andterminate its network connection once A's paid-for use is exhausted. Inone embodiment, although not limited thereto, B may automatically renewA's connection request when exhausted based upon pre-negotiated terms.

It is to be appreciated that network user A is not necessarily anend-user, but may instead be a network provider itself. In this way, itis evident that A may take advantage of favorable network connectionrates provided by B and “resell” connections to other network users fora profit.

Referring now to FIG. 2, A can broadcast need/requirements such as, forexample, but not limited to quality, bandwidth, time and price. B and Ccan provide bids in response to the requirements of A. A can renderpayment such as, for example, but not limited to, by credit card orwebsite account credentials. A can offer a relatively low price andgradually increase it in predetermined increments, although not limitedthereto, and/or B and C can place relatively high bids and graduallydecrease. A can broadcast a last bid offer to elicit further bids.

In one embodiment, A may broadcast its network connection request tomultiple network providers (e.g., B and C, etc.). When multiple networkproviders are competing for providing a network connection to A, Abenefits from competitive pricing. B and C may therefore be willing toaccept lower prices for the requested network connection in order tomaximize the potential income of unused network resources. If one of thenetwork providers indicates that it will accept A's request, A maychoose to broadcast another request with that price to the multiplenetwork providers in order to try to solicit an even more favorableprice. In the alternative, a network provider may respond to A's requestindicating that it is willing to accept a lower price. One objective ofthe present teachings is that A should get the best valued networkconnection while network providers are turning unused network bandwidthinto income.

It is to be appreciated that the back and forth negotiation may beaccomplished without manual user input. For example, the negotiation maybe accomplished automatically based on information previously providedto the system by the user and/or network provider. In anotherembodiment, the parties may be required to manually approve any offerand/or acceptance, although not limited thereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6, A (network user 11) may broadcast aunique identifier that relates to its account information on server 60.Such an identifier may be a media access control address assigned to A'snetwork interface card, or some other unique identifier assigned byserver 60, although not limited thereto. B and C can negotiate withserver 60 for bandwidth based on account preferences. The winner (e.g.,either B or C, etc.) can accept the offer of A. Server 60 can renderpayment such as, for example, but not limited to, by credit card orother account credentials, which can provide enhanced security and lessprocessing for A. In one embodiment, although not limited thereto,server 60 can hold a Dutch auction. In another embodiment, if there isno browser on a network-enabled device, another computer, for example, apersonal computer can be used to manage access and other informationsuch as through a website.

In one embodiment, network user A may have an account with server 60.Server 60 may store and process, for example, in user/providerinformation processor 18 (FIG. 6), various preferences of A's including,although not limited thereto, payment information and network connectionpreferences (e.g., minimal connection needs such as time, price willingto pay, quality of connection, bandwidth, etc.). This way, A may onlyneed to broadcast a unique identifier to all, network providers B, C,etc. The network providers may then inquire with server 60 about A'spredetermined needs. Server 60 may act as the negotiator to acquire forA a favorable network connection from provider processor 13 (FIG. 6)according to its preferences. In this way, server 60 may communicateback and forth with the network providers who bid for the requestednetwork connection.

When the network providers have accounts on server 60, server 60 canalso act as a clearinghouse to settle any payment. This may bepreferable to using credit card information, for example, since it isnot only a closed, more secure system (e.g., no need to transmitconfidential credit card information, payment can be settled fasterbased on the parties' respective account balances. For example, if A hasan account balance of X (e.g., prepaid, etc.), server 60 mayautomatically settle any payments less than X since the networkproviders may be more willing to trust server 60. Payment may beimmediately transferred from a user's account to a provider's account,although not limited thereto. In one alternative, if A has given itscredit card information to server 60 and instructed server 60 toautomatically settle payments less than Y, server 60 can do so quickly,before it actually charges A's credit card. In this way, payment issettled quickly so that A can quickly obtain a network connection. Inthis way, it is also possible that disposable devices may have prepaidaccounts balances that, for example, include the devices ability toconnect to a network and up to that prepaid account balance, althoughnot limited thereto.

Server 60 may also store in user/provider info 22 (FIG. 6), for example,independent rating information for each network provider. In this way,network users can report actual network reliability (e.g., bandwidth,transmissions rate, latency, uptime, etc.) for each network provider toserver 60. This information may be provided manually or automatically.Server 60 may use this information in its negotiation with networkproviders in order to assure that A receives a network connection thatsatisfies its needs (e.g., the best connection at the best value, etc.).It is appreciated that network providers may try to offer networkcapabilities that they are not able to provide (e.g., favorable transferrates, etc.). As the network user uses a network connection, it canreport its use and any issues (e.g., latency, lost packages, etc.) toserver 60 so that server 60 will know in the future whether the networkprovider is able to actually deliver on its promises.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is a schematic block diagram of thearchitecture of an embodiment of the present teachings in which userprocessor 11 interfaces directly with a selected provider processor,exemplarily shown as provider processor 13. User processor 11 maycomprise several elements and additional processors including, althoughnot limited thereto, a requirements processor 17, a negotiationprocessor 25, a payment processor 27, a service interrupter processor35, and a network access interface 39. Each provider processor 13 maycomprise several elements and additional processors including, althoughnot limited thereto, a requirements comparer 19, a response processor21, and expiration processor 23, and a revenue processor 23.

In action, the user requirements processor 17 may first “poll” availablenetwork providers by sending its requirements (e.g., preferences, etc.),service metrics 29, to the network providers' provider processor 13,specifically to respective requirements comparers 19. The requirementscomparers 19 may determine whether the network provider has theavailability to accommodate the user's network connection request forthe offered price. The network providers' response processors 21 maythen indicate that availability (e.g., willingness to offer networkconnection), the provider response 31, to the user's negotiationprocessor 25. If one of the network providers' response (e.g., mayinclude counter-offer) is adequate, the user's payment processor 27 maytransmit payment instructions 37 to the revenue processor 23 of theaccepted (e.g., “winning”, etc.) network provider. The user may thenaccess the network 20 through its network access interface 39 andprovider processor 13. Once the negotiated network connection expires(e.g., paid-for time, bandwidth exceeded, etc.), the network provider'sexpiration processor 23 may cancel the network connection or communicatewith the user's service interruption processor 35 that the networkconnection will be closed. At this point, the parties may renegotiate anew network connection or automatically renew the network connectionbased on previously-negotiated terms.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is a data flow diagram of the embodimentof the present teachings. The user processor 11 requirements processor17 may request service 51 from the provider processor 13 requirementscomparer 19. The provider processor 13 response processor 21 may thenreturn a service outline/counter-offer 53 to negotiation processor 25.Payment processor 27 may then accept by sending account information 55(e.g., payment info) to provider processor 13 revenue processor 23. Thennetwork service information 57 may be sent to user network accessinterface 39 so that user processor 11 may enable the user to startusing the network.

It is appreciated the system of the present teachings may run on severalpieces of software (e.g., user processors, provider processors, andserver processors, etc.) and on several pieces of hardware, although notlimited thereto. In one embodiment, the user processors may be designedas a downloadable application for a mobile device (e.g., iPhone App,etc.) in order to negotiate a network connection. In this way, thesystem may provide a user interface with available network connectionsand their respective prices, bandwidth, etc. The user may then manuallyor automatically choose one of the network connections and have paymentinformation sent to that provider, or have the server indicate thatpayment has been settled, although not limited thereto. The negotiationof the price and network characteristics (e.g., bandwidth, time, etc.)may be performed by the system.

In one embodiment the network provider may maintain a table of networkconnection allocations. In this way it can specify maximum resourceallocation. When a network connection is offered and payment settled sothat the network user is entitled to its use, the network provider mayindicate that allocation in its table. The network provider may removeallocations from the table after the time limit, bandwidth limit, etc.are exhausted for the network user's network connection and the networkconnection is terminated. This way, the network provider may always knowwhich network users are connected, and thus, its liabilities forproviding future network connection capabilities.

As discussed above, the price for network connectivity may be at leastpartly based on current or anticipated network use. In one embodiment,software running on the network provider can determine that if networkusage is below 10%, a charge of 1× per connection (e.g., time,bandwidth, etc.) can be levied. If network use is 90%, a charge of 10×per connection and prioritization of traffic can be invoked since thenetwork provider is making the most profit from that connection. It isto be appreciated that these values are exemplary in nature and thepresent teachings are not limited to any particular embodiment disclosedherein.

The provider may keep a record of all accepted network connections(e.g., contracts, etc.). Thus, if there is an agreement, but the userdoes not use the connection for a period of time, the user may be ableto obtain its already-paid for connection when it wants it. Allconnections may have an expiration date/time so that the networkprovider is not indefinitely carrying the liability of an acceptednetwork connection.

In one embodiment, once there is mutual acceptance (e.g., “handshake”,etc.), the deal is done and the network user may pay for the connection,regardless of whether it is used. The use of a central server may alsoprovide a record of the deal to prevent either party from backing out ofa deal after agreement. The server 60 may note that certain networkproviders are unreliable, for example, and choose not to negotiate withthem in the future. If a network user does not receive aconnection/refusal/etc. from a network provider, it can re-poll aprovider/all available providers for status, or re-negotiate a deal.

If'a central server is used, it may store all of the information and mayimmediately transfer funds from a user's server account to a provideraccount. Providers may also want to use the system if their networkconnection is very busy. In this way, they could act as “reseller” bydirecting traffic through another provider's bandwidth that they havepaid for. The accounts could “settle” at the end of the month,immediately, or any time by transferring income to a bank account,debiting a credit card/bank account, or some other payment system. Ifthey each have accounts, it is quicker to make deals since they willpresumably be pre-authorized for a transaction. If no deal is made(e.g., bad credit card info, etc.) the provider can re-poll the user,but may not provide a network connection until the deal is finalized,although not limited thereto.

The system can be completely customizable with respect tocounter-offers. For the provider, a counter-offer may be based oncurrent network use, although not limited thereto. For the user, acounter-offer may be based on reliability (e.g., judged by the server,etc.), bandwidth, etc., although not limited thereto. If the servertechnique is used, each party may have preferences (e.g., “I am willingto pay X”, “I can only give Y reliability”, etc.) and the server maysuggest reasonable counter-offers in order to facilitate a deal. Ifthere are multiple providers as in a preferred embodiment, they willeach be competing for the user.

The connection may be a time (e.g., “I need a 5-minute connection”) or asize (e.g., “I need to transfer and receive 5 MB of information”),although not limited thereto. After the limit is reached the connectionmay be stopped and another contract renegotiated, and then possiblyterminated. In the alternative, the user (or server, etc.) and providermay also negotiate renewals during the initial negotiation, although notlimited thereto. In this way, it is possible to automatically renew ifacceptable to both parties. A central server can keep a record of eachof the contracts (e.g., agreements, etc.) and payment can be settledimmediately on connection. If the user is directly sending paymentinformation (e.g., a credit card number, etc.), the provider can chargethe user immediately. The connection acceptance may be in the form of areceipt, although it may not be settled until after the connection isestablished.

Such a system appreciates the rapid growth of the availability of WIFInetworks, for example. Providers of such networks have the desire toderive income from these networks while users desire quality networkconnections. For example, the provider software could be installed on awireless router of a retailer or restaurant, and the system could thenautomatically negotiate network connections and create income for theretailer or restaurant without their active maintenance of the scheme.Instead, a server may maintain connections and manage revenuegeneration, although not limited thereto.

Single-use/network-provider-independent devices can also benefit fromsuch a system. For example, phone devices that operate on wirelessnetworks and not cellular networks (e.g., APPLE® ITOUCH® device usingSKYPE® software, etc.) could be sold with a pre-paid balance on thesystem. Then they may use the system, which will automatically negotiatelowest-priced network connection as needed. When the balance falls belowa predetermined level and is running out, the device may then notify theuser that it is time to prepay add more funds to the account.

Single use devices may include, for example, emergency beacons, whichwhen activated may search for a network connection and then transmit apredetermined message and location, for example. Other networkindependent devices may include plug-in monitoring devices such as, forexample, a device that an appliance (e.g., light bulb, refrigerator,etc.) is plugged into, which can then email or otherwise notify apredetermined recipient over the network the status of the appliance(e.g., bulb is out, refrigerator is using too much electricity, etc.).It is appreciated that any number of devices may benefit from thenegotiated, network-independent connection scheme described herein andthey are not limited to any of the exemplary embodiments described. Forexample, an automobile may store information about itself andperiodically send this information to a predetermined location on anetwork (e.g., automobile manufacturer, etc.) when it detects (andnegotiates) a network connection. The manufacturer may use thisinformation for marketing and or research and development purposes,although not limited thereto.

The system can be implemented to execute on a node in communicationsnetwork 20 (FIG. 4) or via the Internet. Common forms ofcomputer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, orany other magnetic medium, a CDROM or any other optical medium, punchedcards, paper tape, or any other physical medium with patterns of holesor ink or characters, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, or anyother memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium fromwhich a computer can read.

In one embodiment, a transmission (e.g., data packet, etc.) may containthe information for requesting network connection. In this way, thetransmission may negotiate its path as it travels to its destination,negotiating with various network providers along the way.

In another embodiment, payment for a network connection may be in theform of information instead of money. For example, a user may indicate awillingness to accept advertisements or to provide personal informationto a provider. The provider may want this information in order todevelop targeting marketing campaigns, although not limited thereto.

While the present teachings have been described above in terms ofspecific embodiments, it is to be understood that they are not limitedto these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodimentswill come to mind to those skilled in the art to which this pertains,and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure andthe appended claims. It is intended that the scope of the presentteachings should be determined by proper interpretation and constructionof the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood bythose of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in thisspecification and the attached drawings.

1. A system for negotiating a network connection for the benefit of auser computer, comprising: one or more network provider computersconfigured to provide access to a computer network, the one or morenetwork provider computers each associated with a provider serviceoutline; and a negotiation processor selecting one of the one or morenetwork provider computers, the selection being based on the providerservice outlines and a requested service outline, the requested serviceoutline being based on service metrics requested by the user computer;wherein the selected network provider computer enables the networkconnection when the and user computer agree on a payment amount for thenetwork connection.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the user computercomprises the negotiation processor.
 3. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising: a server computer in electronic connection with the usercomputer and the one or more network provider computers over a network;wherein the server, comprises the negotiation processor.
 4. The systemof claim 3 wherein the server maintains ratings of the one or morenetwork provider computers.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein at leastone of the one or more network provider computers comprises a router. 6.The system of claim 1 wherein the computer network is the Internet. 7.The system of claim 1 wherein the requested service outline comprisesaccount information having a prepaid payment amount.
 8. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the requested service outline comprises one or more ofpreferred bandwidth, connection time, and network reliability.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the requested service provider comprises aunique identifier.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the providerservice outline comprises price.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein theprice is based at least in part on current network volume.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein more than one of the one or more networkprovider computers compete on price or a network metric to providenetwork access to the user computer.
 13. The system of claim 1 whereinthe user computer is a network provider computer that provides networkaccess to another computer.
 14. The system of claim 1 further comprisinga user interface for managing the requested service outline, wherein theuser interface comprises a webpage.
 15. A method for negotiating acomputer network connection provided for the benefit of a network usercomputer, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, by at least oneprovider processor associated with at least one network provider, anetwork connection preference from the network user computer; sending,by the at least one provider processor, an offer for a networkconnection, the offer having a service outline; accepting, by the atleast one provider processor, payment account information based on theservice outline; and enabling, by the at least one provider processor,the computer network connection for the network user computer.
 16. Themethod as in claim 15 further comprising the step of: supplying, by theat least one provider processor, one or more of bandwidth, time, qualityand price of the at least one network provider.
 17. The method as inclaim 15 further comprising the step of: determining, by the at leastone provider processor, if the computer network connection has expired;and discontinuing, by the at least one provider processor, the networkconnection if the network connection has expired.
 18. One or morecomputer processors comprising computer software code stored on computerreadable media for negotiating, by a server computer, a computer networkconnection provided for the benefit of a network user computer, saidcomputer software code executing the steps of: receiving, by the servercomputer, a network connection preference from the network usercomputer; sending, by the server computer, an offer for a networkconnection, the offer having a service outline; accepting, by the servercomputer, payment account information based on the service outline; andproviding, by the server computer, network service information about theselected network provider to enable the computer network connection forthe network user computer.
 19. The one or more computer processors ofclaim 18 further comprising computer software code executing the stepof: determining, by the server computer, the selected network providerbased on one or more of bandwidth, time, quality and price of one ormore network providers.
 20. The one or more computer processors of claim18 further comprising computer software code executing the steps of:determining, by the server computer, if the network connection hasexpired; and discontinuing, by the server computer, the networkconnection if the network connection has expired.